Doveton: Officer feared for lives of police when man allegedly armed with metal pole was shot by police in Melbourne’s southeast

An officer feared for the lives of police when an allegedly “aggressive” man armed with a metal pole was shot by police in Melbourne’s southeast.

A man has been shot by police in Melbourne’s southeast after he allegedly ran at an officer armed with a metal pole.

Officers were first contacted by neighbours who raised concerns about an argument between a man and a woman at a home on Paperbark St in Doveton about 9am on Saturday.

Before police arrived it’s believed the pair left the address separately and officers were not required to conduct a welfare check.

According to Victoria Police, units were called to the same address about 90 minutes later where officers attempted to speak with a man out the front of the property.

Police allege the man, 33, was armed with a metal police and ran at an officer “aggressively” when a shot was fired by police.

He was rushed to Dandenong Hospital with minor upper-body injuries where he remains under police guard.

Superintendent Wayne Viney said officers were confronted by an aggressive man when they arrived at the Doveton property and requested backup about 10.30am.

“In the process of arresting that male, he became aggressive,” Superintendent Viney said.

A man, 33, has been shot by police in Doveton, in Melbourne’s southeast, after he allegedly ran at an officer armed with a metal pole. Picture: NewsWire / David Geraghty

Superintendent Viney said the man grabbed a 6-foot A-frame metal pole while he was being arrested and broke free from officers.

It is alleged the man, who Superintendent Viney said had outstanding warrants, chased officers down the street with the pole.

“One of the (police) members, fearing for the life and safety of the other police members, shot that male who received a non-fatal wound to the upper body,” Superintendent Viney said.

“I’d like to say though, at the end of the day, police members don’t turn out to attend jobs to be confronted and threatened with large metal poles. 

“No one likes to discharge their police weapon. That has happened in this case, so we’ll look after those members. 

“We’ll provide the necessary support and welfare that they need to make sure that they’re okay and can return to work and duties as soon as possible.”

A 33-year old man was taken to Dandenong Hospital with minor injuries after he was shot by police. Picture: NewsWire / David Crosling

The superintendent said it was a distressing incident for the officer involved who went to the extreme length of shooting someone to protect other police members.

“This male was quite a large male, double that with a large metal pole chasing police members down the street,” he said.

“The police member who did fire his weapon, as you can imagine, is very distressed and quite upset understanding he needed to do what he needed to protect himself and other police members. 

“So it’s quite upsetting, but quite comfortable that his actions were appropriate.”

Armed Crime Squad detectives are investigating the circumstances and a crime scene was established with oversight from the Professional Standards Command.

Police have urged anyone who witnessed the incident, with dashcam/CCTV footage or information to contact Crime Stoppers.

Originally published as Doveton: Officer feared for lives of police when man allegedly armed with metal pole was shot by police in Melbourne’s southeast